Horizon cutting-room links: Friday, 12 September 2025

"From Director Vought to a-11 Update, OMB Minimizing GAO’s Role," Federal News Network

OMB is openly expressing its discontent with GAO in both public statements and regulatory updates. Director Russ Vought has made it clear that he does not believe GAO has a legitimate role in overseeing the executive branch, while GAO defends its mission of ensuring accountability and transparency in government operations.

• OMB's stance against GAO: Director Vought described GAO as a “quasi-legislative independent entity” that should not exist, emphasizing OMB's preference for executive autonomy over legislative oversight.
• GAO's financial impact: Gene Dodaro, the head of GAO, highlighted that their work has saved taxpayers over $1.2 trillion, showcasing the significant financial benefits of independent oversight.
• Changes in Circular A-11: The latest update to Circular A-11 explicitly diminishes GAO's role, stating that GAO's opinions are non-binding on the executive branch, thereby limiting the agency's oversight capabilities and signaling a shift in the relationship between the two entities.

"35 Percent of VMware Workloads Expected to Migrate Elsewhere by 2028," Ars Technica

Up to 35 percent of VMware workloads are expected to migrate to alternative platforms by 2028, driven by Broadcom's recent licensing changes postacquisition. This move has left many customers dissatisfied, especially those using VMware through hyperscalers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), pushing them toward public cloud solutions.

• VMware is projected to lose 35 percent of its workloads by 2028, as customers move away due to high costs and unfavorable changes in licensing models after Broadcom's acquisition.
• The recent shift from perpetual licenses to subscription models has alienated small to medium-sized businesses, forcing them to seek alternatives to VMware's services.
• Despite the loss of customers, Broadcom reported a 25 percent year-over-year increase in infrastructure software revenue, primarily driven by VMware, highlighting a paradox in customer satisfaction and corporate profits.

“Flight Tests Begin on US Air Force’s New ‘Doomsday Plane’,” Defense News

The US Air Force has initiated flight tests for its next-generation "doomsday plane," the E-4C Survivable Airborne Operations Control (SAOC), aimed at maintaining command capabilities during catastrophic events. Developed by Sierra Nevada Corp., the aircraft is designed to serve as a secure airborne command center during nuclear war or widespread calamities.

• The SAOC program is backed by a $13 billion contract awarded to Sierra Nevada Corp. to replace the aging fleet of four E-4B Nightwatch planes, with completion expected by July 2036.
• The aircraft will be based on heavily modified Boeing 747-8 models, enhanced to withstand radiation and electromagnetic pulses, featuring advanced communication systems.
• Flight tests are aimed at early identification of potential issues, helping to mitigate risks and avoid delays in the development process as testing continues through 2026 in Ohio and Kansas.

"Trump Announces Relocation of U.S. Space Command," US Department of Defense

In a significant move for the US military, President Donald J Trump has announced the relocation of US Space Command from Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. This decision is expected to create over 30,000 jobs in Alabama and is part of a larger strategy to enhance the United States' position in space. During a press conference, Trump emphasized the importance of this relocation for national defense and economic growth.

• The move to Huntsville is anticipated to generate significant economic benefits, with estimates of hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and the creation of over 30,000 jobs in the state.
• Space Command's relocation is seen as crucial in the ongoing competition for space dominance against China and Russia, with Trump asserting that this move will help the U.S. maintain its leadership in space.
• The command will play a pivotal role in the development of the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system, which aims to protect American citizens and infrastructure from foreign aerial threats.